That was my initial thought, but on closer inspection I really think there's to large a quantity to be naturally occurring oxide. But I certainly don't claim to be a chemist ;) If you look at the pictures in this DIY, you can see the stuff coating the outside of the bushings he's pressed out.

It could easily be "both" some light oil to ease install that corroded between the steel and aluminum creating the effect of locking them together after being pressed in

Had mine swapped out by a machine shop. They gave me the old ones back and they had that powder. I've seen it on other bushings when I've pressed them out. It looks like aluminum oxide to me.

Bushings Replacement DIY for Rear Lower Control Arm / Swing arm
 

That's a little like cheating!

(How my video narration ends whenever I use a cordless bandsaw to do ten minutes of work in 20-30 seconds)

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll press my new ones in with no worries.

OverBoost, that press looks suspiciously like the one that recently took up residence in my garage . ;) not sure what else I'll use it for but it's a cool toy to have around.

Cheers!

Yes sir! Makes front wheel bearings a snap. The press and my Quick Jack make my efforts working on the cars in my garage a breeze.

I have never needed anything to keep bushings in place. In fact, I use anti seize to make it a little easier to press in bushings. Never had a bushing drift.

Just happened to be online tonight and laughed when I saw this. Amazing the level of "ingenuity" that we can apply that the factory can't, doesn't, won't use, (some for obvious reasons) it's amazing!

You said bandsaw, I used a reciprocating saw, but similar principle. Ford wants like 5 hours to change the lower control arm bushings in my 93 Notchback - and removing and pressing them can be a bit of a pain... So I support the control arm directly with a jack and either set jackstands on the frame and under the steering cross bar (or two other jacks) and then I just pull the bolts, lower the arm just a little bit and sawsall the busing in half and then in half again lengthwise and they pop out in about 20 minutes with a big flat head screwdriver!

Bushing bore diameter in control arm
 

I've read thru this entire thread and it is going to be very helpful in replacing the bushings on my X5.

Does anyone remember the diameter of the bore for these bushings in the control arm? I picked up a ball joint service kit yesterday from Harbor Freight.

I can't find that Sir Tools 3027 adapter for sale anywhere.

I figure if I at least knew the diameter of the adapter that pushes out the old bushing, I could get the adapter that came with the kit turned down a little so that it would be slightly undersized to the bore in the control arm.

Thanks in advance